Surah an-Naml (The Ant ) 27 : 77

Overview (Verses 77 - 81)

Guidance and Mercy
 
This Qur’ān which supersedes all books revealed before it provides the final word on all disputes between their followers. Still the idolaters in Arabia argued about it. It is as God describes it: “It is indeed guidance and mercy to those who believe.” (Verse 77)
 
It is “guidance” preventing dispute and error. It outlines the way of life to implement, and determines the course to follow. It also provides a bond between the believers and the great laws of nature which never fail. Furthermore, the Qur’ān is “mercy’ saving them from doubt, worry and confusion between systems and theories that cannot provide a solid basis to build their lives upon. Moreover, it establishes a bond with God that gives them reassurance and peace with themselves and with mankind generally. In this way, it leads them to earn God’s pleasure and His magnificent reward.
 
The Qur’ānic method of remoulding hearts and souls in accordance with pure, undistorted nature is indeed unique. It establishes harmony between human life, the universe and the major laws of nature operating in it. This enables man to live in peace and reassurance because he realizes that he lives in a world whose laws and forces are at peace with him. He knows that the overall law that runs the universe is the same as that which controls his life. With such harmony and peace between man’s soul and the great existence around him, peace is generated within the community and among humanity at large. Reassurance and stability become a reality in human life. This is “mercy” in its most comprehensive form. This quick reference to God’s grace represented in the revelation of the Qur’ān is followed by an assurance to the Prophet that God will judge between him and his community on the basis of His perfect knowledge: “Your Lord will judge between them in His wisdom; for He alone is Almighty, All-Knowing.” (Verse 78)
 
God has made the triumph of the truth a natural law similar to that of the creation of the heavens and the earth and the succession of night and day. It never fails. It may be slow in coming, but this will only be because of a particular purpose known to God which will ensure the fulfilment of certain goals known to Him. Yet still the law remains in operation, and God’s promise is certain to be fulfilled. Indeed, no one’s faith is complete unless one believes in its certainty. What we need to know is that God’s promise will come to pass at the moment appointed for it, and it will neither be hastened nor delayed: “So, place your trust in God; for yours is surely the path of the clear truth.” (Verse 79)
 
The sūrah continues to comfort the Prophet so that he bears with patience the stubborn rejection by the unbelievers, despite his strenuous efforts giving them sound advice and addressing them with the Qur’ān. He is told that he has not slackened in his duty, but he can make only those with beating hearts hear. These are the ones who listen attentively, and their hearts are moved so as to respond to the Prophet who gives them honest and sound counsel. By contrast, those whose hearts are dead and who are blind to all the pointers to the truth of faith are a lost case. There is simply no access to their hearts. Therefore, the Prophet should not worry about their persistent error: “Indeed you cannot make the dead hear; and you cannot make the deaf hear your call when they turn their backs and go away. Nor can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only get those who believe in Our signs to listen; and they will then submit themselves [to God].” (Verses 80-81)
 
The Qur’ānic style paints here a lively image of a mental condition that renders hearts, souls and feelings frozen, unresponsive. We see them first as dead, with the Prophet calling on them but they do not hear him. The second image shows them deaf, moving away from the person who is calling them. Thirdly they are shown as blind who cannot see the guide trying to set them on the right course. These three images interact to give us a profound description of their situation.
 
In contrast to the dead, blind and deaf we see the believers who are alive, with their hearing and seeing faculties finely tuned: “You can only get those who believe in Our signs to listen; and they will then submit themselves [to God].” (Verse 81) These are the ones whose hearts are ready to receive God’s revelations. They have life and they warm to it, feeling its presence. They benefit by what they hear and see. Such are the believers and the Prophet’s duty is to make them hear, pointing to the signs God has placed all around us. They will then accept what he tells them and submit themselves to God.
 
Islam is simple, clear and very close to pure human nature. Once the heart gets to know it, it will submit to it. Thus the Qur’ān describes those hearts which are prepared to listen and be guided to the truth. They do not indulge in futile argument. Once God’s Messenger calls on them, pointing to God’s signs and reciting His revelations, they respond and submit.